The upcoming Bonny Hills forum will be held from 6.30pm on Wednesday, November 10 at Club Lake Cathie.

During the forum candidates for Port Macquarie-Hastings are able to put forward their policies before the NSW local government elections to be held on December 4. The forum also allows prepared questions to candidates from local residents.

Read more: Camden Haven community to hear from council election candidates

Bonny Hills environmental campaigner and North Haven resident Judy Love, who accepted the Port Macquarie-Hastings 2021 Environmental Citizen of the Year award, said residents have raised a number of issues with her which could be put to candidates at the meeting.

"For residents in the Camden Haven there are some big issues around the lack of planning in Lake Cathie development," Mrs Love said.

"Speaking to people with children in the area there are parents waiting from 2pm just to get a parking spot for 3pm at the back of the school. There are more houses going up at a phenomenal rate.

"There has also been issues raised about horses at the beach because of the damage they do to the sand dunes behind the beach. They do introduce weeds to the area, foul up the beach and dig up the sand dunes.

"People have also come to me to discuss vehicles driving on the sand and a rise in illegal camping on beaches."

Residents in Bonny Hills and Lake Cathie have often been disengaged from the political process of previous elections, Mrs Love said.

Hastings Residents Association and the meetings have been applauded by Member for Port Macquarie, Leslie Williams.

Mrs Williams spoke of her public support for the meetings in the Legislative Assembly on October 19.

"I commend the Hastings Residents Association who have already organised a number of successful 'Meet the Candidates' events in preparation for the local elections in December," she said at the assembly.

"The meetings have been held in Port Macquarie, Wauchope and Laurieton to give the community the opportunity to hear first-hand what candidates are offering and their views on key issues.

"Topics at the meetings have ranged from the Town Centre Master Plan Levy, council's infrastructure backlog, the tidal pool, the proposed orbital road, graffiti, bus shelters, the environment, leadership and congestion on the Oxley Highway.

"While these meetings have been well attended, people also have the opportunity to view the meetings from the comfort of their homes via live-streaming.

"I commend the Hastings Residents Association and thank the Association's president Greg Franks, vice president Bruce Thompson, secretary Julie Atkins and treasurer Di Gander for this initiative."

Due to COVID guidelines seating for the next meeting is restricted and residents should RSVP to the Hastings Residents Association at hra@mail.com or by messaging 0434 991156 or the HRA facebook page.

Hastings Residents Association president Greg Franks said the group has enjoyed hosting the meetings.

"We were very surprised to have made known what we are doing in our normal duties. We're very touched by the mention," he said.

"We may have another meeting in Port Macquarie later to round off the series and I feel these events overall have been well attended throughout.

"I think we have enjoyed hearing from the public on local issues and for the candidates it provides an involved response for residents to listen to.

"We expect more quality questions during the upcoming candidates meeting in Lake Cathie and Bonny Hills. All the candidates have RSVPed and we're only waiting for one candidate to get back to us about attending."

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